Moss harts autobiography

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Recommended for all. Published in 1959, Act One tells the story of Hart's life growing up in poverty in early 20th century New York and his struggle to make it as a playwright. He dreamed big, and wanted to soak himself into every crevice of the theater sponge.

He extract lessons from all his experiences and relies upon lucky breaks. While in the thick of it all, he is able to improvise and learn by comparison. Hart tells how the singular goal and mindset to be involved in the world of theater influenced and shaped his destiny. Many lessons are theater specific - for example, the required authority over actors, the syntax and semantics of playwriting, and the inner workings, logistics, and rituals of the theater.

All these lessons are things to be picked up and applied to anyone's life.



Stray Observations:

* Part of the appeal of Act One is the vignette of a foreign world portrayed - the mystique of New York City and the theater world of the 1920s.
* "[The theater] is an inevitable refuge of the unhappy child … something impaled in childhood like a fly in amber.”
* There are several name drops of people from decades ago which I wished I understood to understand the context of the big names he rubbed shoulders with.
* A moment like seeing your distant father shame himself to make money so that a woman he hated had a funeral with decency and respect was quite poignant.
* The sleeping pill is a necessity for the theater profession.
* Hart is a strong believer of concurrent destiny and luck but he also relishes “The unique experience of outwitting life.”
* “Fate is an implacable strategist.”
* The camp utopia chapter was hilarious.

During the rough times his is able to perfect the art of survival. Issued in tandem with Kitty, the revealing autobiography of his wife, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Act One, is a landmark memoir that incluenced a generation of theatergoers, dramatists, and general book readers everywhere. He is able to develop expert insight into the theater and the psyche of the people in its sphere.

In a moment of failure, he had some bleak realizations where his will to continue almost ceased to exist. At times Hart is uncompromising and quite harsh in his judgement, other times superstitious - a believer in omens, and other times frustrating. The theatrical conference. The ritual of the rehearsal.
* I wish I had the experience of getting telegrams.